The Debut of Margano

Margano, Barbaro's two year old brother, will be making his debut tomorrow at Belmont Park.  His first race will be on the turf going 1 1/16 miles, a surface that his older brothers have had great success on, with Barbaro winning his debut race going a mile on the turf at Delaware Park, Nicanor winning his turf debut by over 15 lengths at Delaware Park, and Lentenor winning second time running on the turf at Gulfstream Park. 


Am I a little surprised that Margano's debut will be at this distance?  Quite frankly, yes, but, here is a quote by Robin Smullen (assistant trainer to Mr. Barclay Tagg, Margano's trainer) that explains their thinking on why to race Margano tomorrow at 1 1/16 miles, "He’s physically ready to run, he’s had a lot of works, he’s mentally not quite ready, but you have to start somewhere, we were considering the six-furlong turf race next week, but Barclay and I talked about it and we felt that might run him off his feet.  He’s bred to go long, and I just think maybe he can settle a little bit and try to make a run and see where we are and hopefully we’ll get him to where he’s mentally ready." (courtesy of DRF.com)


So, after fourteen impressive work-outs at Belmont Park and Saratoga, including four gate works, one turf work at Saratoga, and a blow-out this morning at Belmont Park (Margano went three furlongs in 36:71), Margano is as ready as he will ever be for his debut.  Tomorrow cannot arrive quick enough for myself, and I am sure, for all the Fans of Barbaro and his brothers.  While I am extremely nervous as the race nears, I have complete confidence that Mr. Barclay Tagg and his team have Margano physically ready to go.  One must remember, a win isn't necessarily of the utmost importance tomorrow.  Margano will be learning so much in a matter of just a few minutes as post time approaches.  From the walk to the paddock (where he is quite familiar, since Belmont Park is his home), to the post parade, the crowd noise, the large field loading into the gate, and the experience of traveling over a mile on the Belmont turf.  A lot to take in for a two year old colt, I would say.  With that said, based on his works and bloodlines, a win would not shock me at all, just not expecting it. 


For the first time in a race involving one of Barbaro's brothers, I decided not to look at the field in the race at all.  I decided that I am going to enjoy the race with no preconceived notions regarding the other colts, I will say, this was not easy for me to do!  I did notice that the pedigrees of the colts running are second to none, and the connections involved (breeders, owners, trainers) are all top notch in their respective fields.


Seeing Margano up close and personal for the first time is something that I have waited for, and, I cannot believe this day has finally arrived.  The race tomorrow will be the seventeenth time I have seen Barbaro and/or one of his brothers race in person, but, this will be my first seeing a debut by one of them, which I believe adds to my extra, nervous excitement!  Most importantly, I just want all to run a safe race, and for each colt to gain that experience that is so vital for two year olds. 



Here is the field for tomorrows race, the last race of the day, race #10, post time is about 5:50, which will be the race following a Winter Memories victory in the Garden City Stakes (Grade I) !!!

P.P.      Horse                                 Jockey                          Trainer                           M/L Odds

1. Five Sixteen                               J. Sanchez                    D. Schettino                          8-1

2. Deo Goes Rocky                       K. Singh                       R. Persaud                          50-1

3. Which Market                           G. Gomez                     K. McLaughlin                      8-1
4. Rock Harder                             A. Garcia                      N. Howard                          10-1

5. Powerofone                               E. Castro                     W. Mott                                6-1

6. Minestone                                  K. Desormeaux            D. Romans                            8-1

7. Margano                                    Jose Lezcano                Barclay Tagg                         6-1

8. Dendrite                                     I. Ortiz, Jr.                    D. Donk                              15-1

9. Our Entourage                            J. Castellano                 T. Pletcher                             7-2

10. Political Courage                       Joe Bravo                    Michael Matz                       12-1

11. Gold Megillah                            A. Solis                       G. Motion                              5-1

12. News Pending                           D. Cohen                     D. Romans                           15-1

Also Eligibles:

13. Knock Rock                             D. Cohen                      S. Schwartz                         4-1

14. Awesome's Eleven                    K. Desormeaux             D. Stewart                           8-1

15. Shkspeare Shaliyah                   J. Castellano                  D. Shivmangal                      9-2

16. Yonder 'tis (MTO)                    A. Solis                         M. Hennig                            6-1

*For those not able to attend or see the race on TV, here is a link to see the race live on your computer.  Click on the link, then find and click on Belmont Park in lower right corner.
 
YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED 30 MINUTES OF FREE VIDEO, THE RACE GOES OFF ABOUT 5:50, SO REMEMBER THIS!

Link: http://espn.youbet.com/?utm_campaign=MustSeeBelSwps&utm_medium=ESPbanner&utm_source=YBESP


Margano back in April

 



Nicanor, Lentenor, and Margano (far right)

Lentenor, Nicanor, Margano, and Barbaro

Godspeed Margano...

Lentenor Scratched, Will Race Again Very Soon...

Good morning,


Just wanted everyone to know, Lentenor will be scratched from today's race at Laurel Park. 



Lentenor was entered to run in the $75,000 Japan Racing Association Stakes today at Laurel Park, a race originally to be run on the turf at 1 1/16 miles.  Due to all the rain we have received here on the east coast the last few weeks, the race was taken off the turf and placed onto the main dirt track at a distance of one mile.  I believe the dirt main track is still not ideal for Lentenor to run on, and, hence the reason for the upcoming scratch.  The Jackson's have been very patient in Lentenor's return, and, I commend the Delacour's for making this decision not to have Lentenor run today. 


Look for Lentenor to have his next race within the next two weeks at Belmont Park. 


Who knows?  Maybe, just maybe, we will get to see Lentenor and his big little brother Margano race at Belmont Park on the same day?  Not saying that will happen, just saying there is a possibility, stay tuned :)


People have been asking about Nicanor and what is going on with him?  My friend Elaine pointed me to this article in the Pennsylvania Equestrian Newspaper, which has a nice article on the Delacour's and mentions Nicanor and Lentenor. 


A quote regarding Nicanor: "Nicanor has won four times, but in July he was evaluated at New Bolton Center and the recommendation was for three months rest.  If all goes well the 5-year old horse could be racing later in the Fall".



Here is a link to the article (starts on page 14, then continues on page 37):


http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/issues/sept2011/page14.php


http://www.pennsylvaniaequestrian.com/issues/sept2011/page37.php



Finally, my apology, I thought I had posted these photos and videos from Lentenor's third place finish back on August 23rd.  They never posted, they were in a saved draft.  Here they are, I did screw up and had my camera on the wrong setting, that is why they aren't as clear as they normally are, sorry!






Photos and videos from Delaware Park on August 23, 2011:

Lentenor Racing Tomorrow, Tuesday August 23rd !!!

Lentenor will be making his second start back after his break, racing at his home track, Delaware Park tomorrow, tuesday August 23rd.  This will be Lentenor's third race at Delaware Park.  In his two previous races at Delaware Park, he finished 3rd in a allowance optional claiming race back on August 24, 2010, and, he finished 7th back on September 25, 2010, in the Kent Stakes (Grade III).  Looking back, I don't think either one of these races are a reflection of Lentenor's talent since I believe he was dealing with his shoulder injury that went un-detected, and was later found, that is just my opinion.


He is entered in a $40,000 allowance optional claiming race (no tag on Lentenor!), with a purse of $38,000.  The race will be run on the turf at a distance of a mile, with the rails set at 25 feet.  Kendrick Carmouche will retain the mount on Lentenor after guiding him to the winner's circle on July 31st at PARX racetrack.  I am excited and a little surprised that Mr. Carmouche will get the mount, pleasantly surprised I should say.  I think Kendrick rode Lentenor smartly in his last race, he knew he was on the best horse that day, and just waited patiently until he could make his move, guiding Lentenor like he was a high performance race car through the traffic and hitting the finish line at just the right time, in first!


With the quick turn around and the step up in competition for Lentenor and Kendrick, plus the potential of a big field, this will be a good test for Lentenor and what races he is pointed towards down the road.  You have a potential field of 14 for the race, with one being a main track only entry and four being "also eligible" entries.  Lentenor will be breaking from the one hole, I think this will be a good place for Lentenor considering the size of the field.  If Kendrick can get a clean break, look for Lentenor to be third or fourth going into the first turn on the rail.  Lentenor will not have the luxury he had in the last race, where he was near the back most of the race before making his winning move.  This field is a better class of horses, he will have to be stalking near the front to have any chance of winning.  Another huge favorite of mine is also entered in the race.  The five year old colt Roddickton will be breaking from gate position three.  This will be Roddickton's first start with his new connections, after being sold in a private sale after his last race on July 23rd at Saratoga.  In that race, Roddickton failed to fire and finished a disappointing sixth, after winning three straight races.  Roddickton was trained by Mr. Matz his whole career, and it will be very interesting to see how he does first time out with his new connections.  I will be very happy if we have a Lentenor/Roddickton exacta!!  In fact, that is my prediction, Lentenor will win the race, Roddickton second, and Gaither Draw finishing out the top three.  Lentenor is the class of the race and will be your post time favorite.




I will be making the trek down to Delaware Park once again, photos of Lentenor in the winner's circle to follow....



Good luck to all, and a safe race for all!!!



The field:


Post position---Horse---Weight---Jockey---Last three starts---Trainer

1.   Lentenor, 124 pounds, Kendrick Carmouche,  1st-7th-7th, Leigh Delacour

2.   They Call Me Giant, 118 pounds, J. Valdivia,  6th-2nd-4th,  Breen

3.   Roddickton, 124 pounds,  Sheldon Russell, 6th-1st-1st,  Neil Morris

4.   Silver Eagle,118 pounds,  E. Perez, 7th-4th-4th,  Ashikian

5.   Mr. Irons, 118 pounds,  F. Boyce, 3rd-1st-10th,  Abbott

6.   Gaither Draw, 119 pounds,  A. Castellano, 5th-1st-1st,  Hobby

7.   Istishaary(L), 118 pounds,  C. Hill, 6th-1st-1st,   McLaughlin

8.   Just a Coincidence, 121 pounds,  R. Vazquez,  2nd-1st-7th,  Moquett (Main track entry only)

9.   Inauguration(L), 118 pounds, J. Pimentel, 6th-4th-4th,  Sheppard

10.  Uncle Brent(L), 116 pounds,  J. Rocco, 2nd-7th-9th,  Whiting

11.  Que Paso, 121 pounds,  R. Vazquez, 7th-2nd-6th,  Frost (also eligible entry)

12.  Crimson Comic, 118 pounds,  L. Garcia, 7th-3rd-4th,  Shuman (also eligible entry)

13.  Blazen, 124 pounds,  J. Rose, 4th-1st-3rd,  Pecoraro (also eligible entry)

14.  Open Outcry, 118 pounds,  J. Pimentel, 8th-3rd-1st,  Coletti (also eligible entry)

Godspeed Lentenor...

Photos from Lentenor's last race:
















Photo of Roddickton getting some rest, taken at Fair Hill back on November 7, 2009 (Thanks Elaine!!!):

Lentenor Makes a Victorious Return!

After nearly ten months since his last race, being transeferred to a new trainer, racing at a track he had never been at,  racing in temperatures over ninety degrees, Lentenor overcame all of this and ran a great race and made his second trip to the winner's circle in nine starts!  When Lentenor is healthy, the sky is the limit in what he can accomplish on the track, IMHO.


I will add more tonight, but, I just wanted to post my photos and video first.


It really was a wonderful, exciting day!  It was great meeting up with everyone at PARX!


Happy for all involved in this victory for Lentenor!


To everyone in the Michael Matz barn, Leigh Delacour's barn, Roy and Gretchen Jackson, jockey Kendrick Carmouche, and of course, Lentenor, all of you should celebrate in Lentenor's victory!






First, here is a link to the replay on Bloodhorse:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/videos/race-replays/USA/PRX/2011/7/31/8/parx-racing-race-8



Second, here is a link to my friend Elaine's photos.  With her amazing eye and powerful camera, she truly captures the brilliant Lentenor!  Thank you Elaine :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ekdeutsch/sets/72157627326837242/with/5996213464/




Video of Lentenor in the Paddock at PARX Racetrack, July 31, 2011










Photos of Lentenor before and after his victory!


































































Godspeed Lentenor...

Lentenor Makes His Return Sunday, July 31st at PARX Racetrack.

After over ten months since his last start, four year old Lentenor will be making his first start for his new trainer, Leigh Delacour.  Lentenor will be racing at PARX Racetrack in Bensalem, Pennsylvania in a $47,000 Allowance race on the turf at a distance of one mile and seventy yards, post time is 3:22 eastern time.

The race drew a field of twelve, with Lentenor breaking from the seventh hole, jockey Kendrick Carmouche gets the mount.  I know a lot of you probably haven't heard of Mr. Carmouche, but, trust me, Lentenor is in very capable hands under the guidance of Mr. Carmouche.  Currently, he is in the top thirty in earning's for 2011 and his mounts have hit the top three in almost sixty percent of his starts.

I looked at the field, and no disrespect to the connections or the horses, but, this is a huge drop in class for Lentenor.  Not really a surprise since it is his first race after the long layoff, and he most likely will need this race to get his legs back.  With that said, I honestly will not be surprised if he wins, not expecting it, but it is a real possibility. 

Looking back at Lentenor's races since his fourth place finish in the Florida Derby (Grade I): a third place finish in a Allowance optional claiming race, a seventh place in the Kent Stakes (Grade III), and another seventh place finish in a Allowance race.  I honestly believe his injury might have existed in those races after the Florida Derby and it wasn't noticed until after he ran those races.  His shoulder injury seems to be healed up completely judging by his works, so, he will be running comfortably and the only issue might be his fitness level.  The forecast is for temperatures in the low 90's, which doesn't help either.

Here is the field:

1.   Elidefeatspeyton    Jockey K. Pellot             Trainer R. Lima                  ML: 8-1

2.   Tropic Sea              Jockey F. Pennington      Trainer W. Entenmann        ML: 12-1

3.   Jambonied              Jockey J. Arce                Trainer J. Guerrero             ML: 12-1

4.   Halton Gully           Jockey I. Rosendo          Trainer J. Servis                 ML: 10-1

5.   Green Bluff             Jockey O. Figueroa        Trainer P. Farro                 ML:  6-1

6.   Eze Does It             Jockey K. Frey               Trainer R. Preciado           ML: 12-1

7.   LENTENOR          Jockey K. Carmouche  Trainer L. Delacour       ML:  5-2

8.   Fourleaf Street       Jockey R. Bracho            Trainer J. Rodriguez          ML: 20-1

9.   Favorite Hour         Jockey S. Elliott               Trainer M. Trombetta       ML:  8-1          

10. Brasilier                  Jockey E. Vaz                  Trainer J. Pregman, Jr.      ML:  7-2

11. Clare Castle            Jockey V. Molina             Trainer F. Meares            ML:  20-1

12. Etarag                      Jockey J. Hampshire, Jr.  Trainer G. Sandoval         ML:  20-1


Even with the long layoff, I will go with Lentenor and Kendrick to win this race and progress forward to an exciting Fall and 2012 campaign. 

I will be making the trek down to PARX for this race, nothing would have prevented me from attending Lentenor's return to the track.  I will post my videos and photos when I return later Sunday night!  I hope to get some in the winner's circle :)

Seriously, I just hope for a safe race for Lentenor and the rest of the field.  In all likelihood, Leigh's instructions to the jockey will be not to push Lentenor and just let him run his race after his long layoff.

While it is a little bittersweet seeing Lentenor with a new trainer, I also think it is a exciting time for Lentenor and Mrs. Delacour.  I know all of Lentenor's former connections will be watching and cheering Lentenor on in his return! 

Godspeed Lentenor...